Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
Live updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 Friday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
Summary
Updates on Thursday 19 November 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
Dog found in 'extremely malnourished' state in Burtonpublished at 17:50
Alice Bentley
BBC Local LiveA dog has been described by an RSPCA inspector as "one of the skinniest dogs I have ever seen", after being found wandering the streets of Burton.
Image source, RSPCAThe black-and-white male Staffordshire bull terrier was discovered on Derby Road yesterday and the organisation says he was "very frightened and extremely malnourished".
He's been named Stanley by staff at the Burton Animal Home.
This evening's Midlands Today: Port Vale aiming not to slip up in FA Cuppublished at 17:45
Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands TodayTonight on Midlands Today on BBC One we'll be looking ahead to whether Port Vale can avoid an FA Cup shock this evening.
Their manager, Rob Page, says they must improve in their first round replay at Maidenhead - the home side are three divisions below Vale.
We'll have a full look ahead to the game on Midlands Today from 18:30.
Combined authority mayor will have no control over Cannockpublished at 17:40
Cannock Chase Council will still remain in control of decisions made throughout the district, external despite a historic devolution deal being signed that will see it becoming part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Image source, Cannock MercuryFootball: Peter Crouch told to be patient by Stoke City bosspublished at 17:36
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Stoke City manager says striker Peter Crouch has to be patient in terms of getting more playing time with the team.
Image source, ReutersEarlier this month the 34-year-old insisted he still had a future with the Premier League club, despite being largely underused so far this season.
Today at his press conference, Potters boss, Mark Hughes, spoke about Crouch's future.
Quote MessageI'm aware he wants more game time and I've not been able to give him that, he's got to be patient and things will change I'm sure
Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager
Wrong ashes given to Staffordshire pet ownerspublished at 17:30
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeA Staffordshire pet crematorium owner, who gave the wrong ashes to pet owners in the county, kept remains stored in large chest freezers.
Image source, Staffordshire County CouncilToday 52-year-old Allan McMasters, of Audmore Road, who ran Swan Pit Crematorium in Gnosall, was ordered to pay compensation and costs of £7,000.
He had admitted six charges of fraud and four of animal by-product offences - one cat owner had discovered the ashes she was given were actually those of a dead horse.
Watch: Latest weather with a dry forecast aheadpublished at 17:25
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands TodayDry and clear into the early hours of Fridaymorning with temperatures falling to 5C (41F).
Then tomorrow, a dry, bright and cool start to Friday with further showers through the afternoon. Cold with highs of 8C (46F).
Your pictures: Double rainbow delight over Burtonpublished at 17:20
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveThis lovely picture of a double rainbow was taken in Burton by Rachael Toon, who says it was taken while looking towards Burton Bridge.
Image source, Rachael ToonIf you've got a picture of Staffordshire or Cheshire to share with me do it and I'll try and feature as many as I can.
Like Rachael you can use Instagram, external (adding #bbcstoke to the description so I can find it) or drop it to me on an email.
Burton bodies: Crate in which they were found 'was never opened'published at 17:15
Euan Duncan
BBC Local LiveTwo men found dead in a wooden crate near Burton are likely to have been migrants under the age of 30, say police.
Post-mortem examinations were carried out today, although a cause of death has yet to be established.
The crate was delivered to Ferroli on Lichfield Road in Branston at the beginning of October, but was never opened.
Police believe someone helped the two men hide in the crate and are treating their deaths as "suspicious".
E-cigarettes to be banned on London Midland trains from Tamworthpublished at 17:09
Rail operator London Midland will ban staff and passengers from using electronic cigarettes on Cross City line trains, external from December 1.
Image source, Tamworth HeraldTravel: Rail delays in Crewe areapublished at 17:02
BBC TravelProblem in the Warrington to Crewe area say Virgin Trains, affecting rail services.
Get the latest from BBC Travel.
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End of twitter postLatest news: Wrong pet ashes given to owners, more on dead Burton 'migrants' and first workers for new Stoke HQpublished at 17:00
Heidi Booth
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThe latest stories for Staffordshire and Cheshire this evening include:
- A Staffordshire pet crematorium owner, who gave the wrong ashes to pet owners in the county, kept remains stored in large chest freezers
- Two men found dead in a wooden create near Burton are likely to have been migrants under the age of 30, say police
- The first 40 council workers have moved into the Smithfield building in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, today, after months of delays
Travel: Crash closes lane on M6 in Staffordshirepublished at 16:56 Greenwich Mean Time 19 November 2015
BBC TravelOn the M6 southbound in Staffordshire there is a lane closed between junctions 10a and 10, because of an accident.
Have your say: Call yourself a northerner or a midlander?published at 16:52
Charlotte Foster
Presenter, BBC Radio StokeWe were asking you today if you considered yourself a northerner or a midlander?
It was after former Labour spin doctor, Alastair Campbell, told us Stoke-on-Trent should market itself as northern and not in the Midlands.
Debate raged on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, external:
- Georgina Davidson wrote: "personally I identify with the north more."
- Ally Brereton said: "I'm originally from Stoke and live in Leeds now, but I'd always say I'm from the Midlands!"
- While Paul Shenton commented: "Im a Stokie and proud of it, I'm not into this Midland or north rubbish."
Video: Council workers finally start moving into problem-hit Stoke HQpublished at 16:39
James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio StokeThe first 40 council workers have moved into the Smithfield building in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, today after months of delays.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council was due to move into its new headquarters in May but the then Labour leader said there were problems with the concrete slab floor.
The authority passed it fit for purpose in July - 350 people will move in to the first three floors of the glass building by early next year.
Football: Port Vale boss wants to avoid FA Cup banana skinpublished at 16:29
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokePort Vale boss, Rob Page, says his team can't afford to slip up away at Maidenhead in the FA Cup tonight.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe non-league club forced a replay after a dramatic draw at Vale Park 12 days ago, scoring in the 94th minute.
Page says his players have to match Maidenhead's battling qualities - BBC Radio Stoke will have full commentary on the game.
Quote MessageThey're at home, it's on the telly so of course they will be up for it, but we've got to make sure we're professional about our work
Rob Page, Port Vale manager
Picture: Cadets return from 'life-changing' visit to Nepalpublished at 16:19
Fifteen cadets from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have returned from Nepal, where they helped build a school after April's earthquake.
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End of twitter postCheshire car park could be sold offpublished at 16:08
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeA car park in Alsager, external could be sold off by Cheshire East Council.
Image source, GoogleThe authority is getting rid of its assets, including car parks, and has approached the town council, external about taking on the Fairview site.
Before they make a decision on the car park's future, the local council says there are a number of outstanding questions Cheshire East, external needs to answer.
Plan to put 25 painted swan statues around townpublished at 15:57
A scheme which will see dozens of swan figures placed, external around Burton landmarks is surging forward, as organisers appeal for people's help.
Image source, Burton MailOn BBC Radio Stoke: James Watt turned into claypublished at 15:49
James Watt
Presenter, BBC Radio StokeThe Great Pottery Throw Down, filmed in Stoke-on-Trent, is proving a hit with me and I wanted to find out what my show might look like in clay form.
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End of youtube videoSo I took myself and Max Mallen down to Middleport Pottery and you can see what we came up with in the video.
